WO2019034378A1 - CONNECTIVITY MONITORING IN DISCONNECTED MODE - Google Patents
CONNECTIVITY MONITORING IN DISCONNECTED MODE Download PDFInfo
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- WO2019034378A1 WO2019034378A1 PCT/EP2018/070020 EP2018070020W WO2019034378A1 WO 2019034378 A1 WO2019034378 A1 WO 2019034378A1 EP 2018070020 W EP2018070020 W EP 2018070020W WO 2019034378 A1 WO2019034378 A1 WO 2019034378A1
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- signal
- network
- receive
- data connection
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W24/00—Supervisory, monitoring or testing arrangements
- H04W24/10—Scheduling measurement reports ; Arrangements for measurement reports
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W52/00—Power management, e.g. TPC [Transmission Power Control], power saving or power classes
- H04W52/02—Power saving arrangements
- H04W52/0209—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices
- H04W52/0212—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave
- H04W52/0216—Power saving arrangements in terminal devices managed by the network, e.g. network or access point is master and terminal is slave using a pre-established activity schedule, e.g. traffic indication frame
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
- H04W16/24—Cell structures
- H04W16/28—Cell structures using beam steering
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
- H04W76/00—Connection management
- H04W76/20—Manipulation of established connections
- H04W76/28—Discontinuous transmission [DTX]; Discontinuous reception [DRX]
Definitions
- Various examples of the invention generally relate to techniques of monitoring connectivity of a communication device while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode.
- M2M machine-to-machine
- LoT Internet of Things
- wireless communication is communication according to the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) framework.
- M2M communication, industrial IOT, and vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) or vehicle-to-everything (V2x) communication is expected to require highly reliable connectivity.
- Network failures or coverage issues are to be avoided or, at least, detected.
- 3GPP New Radio (NR) access system ultra-reliable-low-latency is used to describe a toolset to achieve such highly reliable connectivity, along with low latency.
- occurrence of network failures or coverage issues are to be monitored such that appropriate countermeasures may be taken, if needed. This is to facilitate a quick reaction to situations when a UE is no longer reachable or otherwise exhibits limited connectivity.
- a method of operating a communication device includes receiving at least one downlink signal transmitted by a base station of a network.
- the at least one control message is received while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the method further includes determining a receive property of the at least one downlink signal based on said receiving.
- the method may optionally further include transmitting an uplink report signal indicative of the receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a computer program product includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a communication device.
- the method includes receiving at least one downlink signal transmitted by a base station of a network.
- the at least one control message is received while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the method further includes determining a receive property of the at least one downlink signal based on said receiving.
- the method may optionally further include transmitting an uplink report signal indicative of the receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a computer program includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a communication device.
- the method includes receiving at least one downlink signal transmitted by a base station of a network.
- the at least one control message is received while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the method further includes determining a receive property of the at least one downlink signal based on said receiving.
- the method may optionally further include transmitting an uplink report signal indicative of the receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a communication device includes control circuitry which is configured to perform: while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and a network: receiving at least one downlink signal transmitted by a base station of the network; and determining a receive property of the at least one downlink signal based on said receiving; and, optionally, transmitting an uplink report signal indicative of the receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a method of operating a base station of a network includes transmitting at least one downlink signal.
- the method further includes receiving, from a communication device, an uplink report signal.
- the uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- the at least one downlink signal is received by the communication device while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- a computer program product includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a base station. The method includes transmitting at least one downlink signal. The method further includes receiving, from a communication device, an uplink report signal. The uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal. The at least one downlink signal is received by the communication device while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- a computer program includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a base station. The method includes transmitting at least one downlink signal. The method further includes receiving, from a communication device, an uplink report signal. The uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal. The at least one downlink signal is received by the communication device while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- a base station of a network includes control circuitry configured to perform: transmitting at least one downlink signal; receiving, from a communication device, an uplink report signal indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal received by the communication device while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- a method of operating a base station of a network includes transmitting at least one downlink signal.
- the at least one downlink signal is transmitted while a communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the method further includes receiving, from the communication device, an uplink report signal.
- the uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a computer program product includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a base station. The method includes transmitting at least one downlink signal. The at least one downlink signal is transmitted while a communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network. The method further includes receiving, from the communication device, an uplink report signal. The uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a computer program includes program code that may be executed by at least one processor. Executing the program code causes the at least one processor to perform a method of operating a base station. The method includes transmitting at least one downlink signal.
- the at least one downlink signal is transmitted while a communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the method further includes receiving, from the communication device, an uplink report signal.
- the uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a base station of a network includes control circuitry configured to perform: transmitting at least one downlink signal while a communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network; and receiving, from the communication device, an uplink report signal.
- the uplink report signal is indicative of a receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- a system includes a base station of a network, the base station including first control circuitry.
- the system also includes a communication device including second control circuitry.
- the first control circuitry is configured to transmit at least one downlink signal.
- the second control circuitry is configured to receive the at least one downlink signal, while the communication device operates in a disconnected mode in which a data connection is not set-up between the communication device and the network.
- the at least one downlink signal may or may not be directed to the communication device.
- the second control circuitry is configured to determine a receive property of the at least one downlink signal based on said receiving.
- the second control circuitry may optionally be configured to transmit an uplink report signal which is indicative of the receive property of the at least one downlink signal.
- the first control circuitry may optionally be configured to receive the uplink report signal.
- FIG. 1 schematically illustrates aspects with respect to an example implementation of a network to which a UE is registered.
- FIG. 2 schematically illustrates different modes in which the UE may operate according to various examples.
- FIG. 3 schematically illustrates operation of the UE in the different modes and further illustrates discontinuous reception cycles associated with the different modes according to various examples.
- FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating transitioning between an idle mode and a connected mode according to various examples.
- FIG. 5 schematically illustrates multiple cells of the network which, according to various examples, form a tracking area.
- FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the UE according to various examples.
- FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the BS according to various examples.
- FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating receiving downlink signals and transmitting uplink report signals indicative of receive properties of the downlink signals according to various examples.
- FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a repetitive probing schedule for a UE receiving DL signals in a disconnected mode and further illustrates time-alignment of the repetitive proving schedule with a discontinuous reception cycle of the UE, according to various examples.
- FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating receiving downlink signals and transmitting uplink report signals indicative of receive properties of the downlink signals according to various examples.
- FIG. 1 1 schematically illustrates the repetitive probing schedule and a repetitive reporting schedule for the UE transmitting UL report signals according to various examples.
- FIG. 12 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating transmitting the UL report signal by setting up a data connection according to various examples.
- FIG. 13 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating transmitting the UL report signal by using pre-allocated time-frequency resources in disconnected mode according to various examples.
- FIG. 14 schematically illustrates an UL report signal according to various examples.
- FIG. 15 schematically illustrates an UL report signal according to various examples.
- FIG. 16 schematically illustrates an UL report signal according to various examples.
- FIG. 17 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating transmitting the UL report signal and triggering a countermeasure depending on the UL report signal according to various examples.
- FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method according to various examples.
- FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method according to various examples.
- Limited connectivity may be associated with reduced or no reachability of the respective UE.
- a latency of communication between a network and the UE may be significantly increased in the state of limited connectivity.
- Limited connectivity may be associated with a certain degraded reachability level of the UE.
- functionality to supervise the reachability may be provided. Thereby, the network can ensure that it is capable of contacting the UE if need be, e.g., at a certain connection probability that is associated with the connectivity.
- a reachability level may correspond to the success ratio of communicating uplink signals and/or downlink signals between the UE and the network.
- Various techniques described herein enable monitoring connectivity of UEs across different operation modes of the UE.
- techniques described herein may enable monitoring the connectivity of a UE even if the UE operates in a disconnected mode.
- a data connection between the UE and the network is not set up in the disconnected mode.
- disconnected mode include: idle mode; wake-up mode; power-save mode; etc. It is possible that a registry entry of the UE is maintained at the network while the UE operates in the disconnected mode.
- payload data e.g., data associated with an application layer of a transmission protocol stack - between the UE and the network while the UE operates in disconnected mode.
- payload data e.g., data associated with an application layer of a transmission protocol stack - between the UE and the network while the UE operates in disconnected mode.
- payload data e.g., data associated with an application layer of a transmission protocol stack - between the UE and the network while the UE operates in disconnected mode.
- a paging signal or wake-up signal may be employed.
- a data communication may be set up in order to transition operation of the UE from the disconnected mode to the connected mode. In this connection, it is possible to employ a random access procedure.
- Such techniques of monitoring connectivity of the UE across different operation modes of the UE may be beneficial, in particular, when being applied to M2M, IOT, V2V or V2x scenarios.
- the overall amount of data to be communicated between the respective UE and the network is comparably limited; however, if there is in fact data to be communicated between the UE and the network, this should typically occur at a high reliability and low latency.
- the respective UEs operate in the disconnected mode over an extended duration of time, e.g., in more than 70% or 80% or even 95% of the overall operational time.
- the application layer may take appropriate countermeasures. Alternatively or additionally, countermeasures may be taken by the network. Such countermeasures may help to increase connectivity of the UE and/or to mitigate negative impact of the limited connectivity on one or more applications implemented by the UE and the network.
- a UE receives at least one downlink (DL) signal which is transmitted by a base station (BS) of the network.
- the UE receives the at least one DL signal while the UE operates in a disconnected mode.
- the BS transmits the at least one DL signal while the UE operates in the disconnected mode.
- the data connection is not set up between the UE and the network.
- the UE may determine a receive property of the at least one DL signal and may then transmit, to the network, an uplink (UL) report signal which is indicative of the receive property.
- the BS may receive the UL report signal.
- one or more countermeasures for facilitating the connectivity with the UE may be selectively triggered, e.g., by taking into account the receive property.
- the UL report signal may be transmitted by the UE while the UE operates in disconnected mode or while the UE operates in connected mode. Likewise, the UL report signal may be received by the BS while the UE operates in disconnected mode or while the UE operates in connected mode.
- FIG. 1 illustrates aspects with respect to the architecture of a cellular network 100 according to some examples implementations.
- the cellular network 100 according to the example of FIG. 1 implements the 3GPP LTE architecture, sometimes referred to as evolved packet system (EPS). This, however, is for exemplary purposes only.
- EPS evolved packet system
- a wireless link 101 between a UE 130 and the cellular network 100 operating according to the 3GPP LTE radio access technology (RAT) for illustrative purposes only.
- Similar techniques can be readily applied to various kinds of 3GPP-specified RATs, such as Global Systems for Mobile Communications (GSM), Wideband Code Division Multiplex (WCDMA), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), Enhanced GPRS (EGPRS), Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS), and High Speed Packet Access (HSPA), and corresponding architectures of associated cellular networks.
- GSM Global Systems for Mobile Communications
- WCDMA Wideband Code Division Multiplex
- GPRS General Packet Radio Service
- EDGE Enhanced Data Rates for GSM Evolution
- EEGPRS Enhanced GPRS
- UMTS Universal Mobile Telecommunications System
- HSPA High Speed Packet Access
- the network 100 may be operating according to the 3GPP NR framework.
- a further particular example is the 3GPP NB- loT RAT.
- the 3GPP NB-loT RAT may be based on the 3GPP LTE RAT, i.e., the Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA). Further, the NB-loT RAT may be combined with the EPS as illustrated in FIG. 1 .
- the various examples disclosed herein may be readily implemented for the 3GPP NB-loT RAT, alternatively or additionally. Similarly, the techniques described herein may be employed for MTC.
- Other examples include other types of networks, e.g., Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.1 1 X Wireless Local Area Network, Bluetooth or Zigbee.
- IEEE Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
- the 3GPP LTE RAT implements a HARQ protocol.
- the HARQ protects data communicated via the wireless link 101 .
- FEC and retransmission are employed in this respect.
- the UE 130 is registered to the network 100.
- the UE 130 is connected to the network 100 via the wireless link 101 to a BS 1 12 of the cellular network 100.
- the BS 1 12 and the UE 130 implement the evolved UMTS terrestrial radio access technology (E-UTRAN); therefore, the BS 1 12 is labeled evolved node B (eNB) in FIG. 1 .
- the UE 130 may be registered to the network 100, but no active data connection may be maintained.
- the UE 130 may be selected from the group including: a smartphone; a cellular phone; a table; a notebook; a computer; a smart TV; a MTC device, an loT device; a sensor; an actuator; etc.
- An MTC or loT device is typically a device with a low to moderate requirement on data traffic volumes and loose latency requirements. Additionally, communication employing MTC or loT devices should achieve low complexity and low costs. Further, energy consumption of an MTC or an loT device should be comparably low in order to allow battery-powered devices to function for a comparably long duration: The battery life should be sufficiently long.
- the loT device may be connected to the EPS via the NB-loT RAT.
- the BS 1 12 is connected with a gateway node implemented by a serving Gateway (SGW) 1 17.
- SGW serving Gateway
- the SGW 1 17 may route and forward payload data and may act as a mobility anchor during handovers of the UE 130.
- the SGW 1 17 is connected with a gateway node implemented by a packet data network Gateway (PGW) 1 18.
- PGW packet data network Gateway
- the PGW 1 18 serves as a point of exit and point of entry of the cellular network 1 10 for data towards a packet data network (PDN; not shown in FIG. 1 ): for this purpose, the PGW 1 18 is connected with an access point node 121 of the packet data network.
- the access point node 121 is uniquely identified by an access point name (APN).
- APN access point name
- the APN is used by the UE 130 to seek access to the packet data network.
- the PGW 1 18 can be an endpoint of an data connection 160 for packetized payload data of the UE 130.
- the data connection 160 may be used for communicating payload data of a particular service. Different applications/services may use different data connections 160 or may share, at least partly, a certain data connection.
- the SGW 1 17 and PGW 1 18 functionality may be implemented by a user plane function (UPF).
- UPF user plane function
- the data connection 160 may be implemented by one or more bearers which are used to communicate service-specific data.
- An EPS bearer which is characterized by a certain set of quality of service parameters indicated by the QoS class identifier (QCI).
- QCI QoS class identifier
- the data connection may be, at least partly, defined on a Layer 2 or Layer 3 of a transmission protocol stack implemented by the BS 1 12 and the UE 130 for communicating on the wireless link 101 .
- the data connection 160 may be implemented on the Radio Resource Control (RRC) layer.
- RRC Radio Resource Control
- a control layer of the core network includes a mobility management entity (MME) 1 16.
- MME mobility management entity
- the MME 1 16 functionality may be implemented by a Access and Mobility Management Function (AMF) and the Session Management Function (SMF) in a 3GPP NR framework.
- AMF Access and Mobility Management Function
- SMF Session Management Function
- the MME 1 16 handles mobility and security tasks such as paging and access credentials.
- the MME 1 16 also keeps track of the operational mode of the UE 130, e.g., whether the UE 130 operates in connected or disconnected mode.
- the MME 1 16 is the termination point of the non-access stratum (NAS) connection, i.e., a control connection implemented on the layer above the RRC layer.
- NAS non-access stratum
- a home subscriber server (HSS) 1 15 includes a repository that contains user- and subscriber-related information such as authentication and subscription information.
- HSS home subscriber server
- AUSF Authentication Server Function
- UDM Unified Data Management
- PCF Policy and Charging Rules Function
- PCF Policy Control Function
- FIG. 2 illustrates aspects with respect to different modes 301 -303, 305 in which the UE 130 can operate.
- the UE 130 may be registered with the network 100, i.e., may be EMM-REGISTERED in 3GPP LTE or MM-REGISTERED in 3GPP NR. Thus, a corresponding entry may be kept at the MME 1 16.
- the network 100 may page the UE 130.
- the data connection 160 is set up.
- a default bearer and optionally one or more dedicated bearers may be set up between the UE 130 and the network 100.
- DRX discontinuous reception
- the DRX cycle includes on durations and off durations (not illustrated in FIG. 2). During the off durations, an interface of the UE 130 is unfit to receive data; e.g., an analog and/or digital frontend may at least be partially powered down.
- the timing of the DRX cycle is synchronized between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12 such that the BS 1 12 can align any DL transmission with the on durations of the connected mode DRX cycle.
- the data connection 160 is maintained established in mode 302 even during the off durations. The data connection 160 is not released. To achieve a further power reduction, it is possible to transition into one or more disconnected modes 303, 305. Here, the data connection 160 is released and not set up.
- a disconnected mode 303, 305 is the idle mode 303.
- the idle mode 303 is, again, associated with an idle mode DRX cycle of the UE 130.
- the interface of the UE 130 is only fit to receive paging messages on the channel 261 . For example, this may help to restrict the frequency bandwidth that needs to be monitored by the UE during the on durations of the DRX cycles in idle mode 303. This may help to further reduce the power consumption - e.g., if compared to the connected mode 302.
- a further example of a disconnected mode is the wake-up mode 305; here, instead of paging signals wake-up signals may be received, e.g., by a dedicated low-power receiver of the UE 130.
- FIG. 2 is an example scenario only. In other examples fewer, more, or different modes may be used.
- a RRC-INACTIVE CONNECTED mode may be used, see 3GPP (Technical Report) TR 23.799, Study on Architecture for Next Generation System, V.1 .2.1 (Nov. 2016).
- the UE keeps parts of the RAN context; these parts remain valid when re-connecting to the network. Such parts may include the Access Stratum (AS) security context, UE capability information, etc..
- AS Access Stratum
- FIG. 3 illustrates aspects with respect to transitioning between the different modes 301 - 305. Furthermore, FIG. 3 illustrates aspects of employing DRX cycles.
- the UE 130 operates in the connected mode 301 . This causes a persistent power consumption at a high level.
- the interface of the UE 130 is in an active state 381 .
- the connected mode 302 employing DRX is activated.
- the on durations 371 and the off durations 372 of the DRX cycle are illustrated.
- the interface 1301 is in an inactivate state 383 in which it is unfit to receive signals and to transmit signals.
- the inactive state 383 is associated with a low energy consumption.
- the idle mode 303 is activated. This is accompanied by releasing the data connection 160. Again, the idle mode 303 employs a DRX cycle including on durations 371 and off durations 372.
- the on durations 371 in mode 303 are associated with a lower power consumption if compared to the on durations 371 in connected mode 302, because in the idle mode 303, the capability of the interface can be reduced if compared to the connected mode 302.
- the interface of the UE 130 operates in a power-save state 382 during the on durations 371 .
- the receiver of the interface may only expect reception of paging signals. This may help to restrict the bandwidth and / or restrict the need for complex demodulation functionality.
- FIG. 4 illustrates aspects with respect to transitioning between operation in the connected mode 301 and in the idle mode 303.
- FIG. 4 is a signaling diagram schematically illustration communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- payload data 4001 is communicated at 3001 .
- UL payload data 4001 and/or DL payload data 4001 may be communicated.
- the data connection 160 is employed.
- the UE 130 operates in connected mode 301 .
- the payload data 4001 may be associated with one or more applications implemented on an application layer of a transmission protocol stack implemented by the UE 130 and the BS 1 12 for communicating on the wireless link.
- the payload data 4001 may be latency-sensitive.
- a corresponding timer 201 is triggered upon concluded communication of the payload data 4001 at 3001 .
- a transition to idle mode 303 occurs at 3002.
- the data connection 160 is released.
- the UE 130 In idle mode 303, the UE 130 remains registered at the network 100.
- the MME 1 16 maintains a respective entry of the identity of the UE 130 and/or of the identity of the subscriber associated with the UE 130. This facilitates paging of the UE 130, e.g., if there is DL data to be transmitted from the network 100 to the UE 130.
- the paging occasions 202 may be coincident with the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle.
- the UE 130 can time-align the DRX cycle with the paging occasions 202.
- the UE 130 may receive broadcasted information to obtain fraim numbering and time synchronization with the cell. Then, the UE may calculate when the paging occasions will occur, e.g., by using the DRX cycle length and other frame timing information available.
- the paging occasion may be a function of the UE identity, e.g., the International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI); thereby, different UEs may use different paging occasions.
- IMSI International Mobile Subscriber Identity
- the UE 130 has obtained knowledge on the paging occasions 202 - e.g., the time in-between subsequent paging occasions 202 - the appropriate DRX cycle may be selected. Thereby, it can be ensured that the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle are synchronized with the paging occasions 202.
- the network 100 makes a paging attempt; therefore, the BS 1 12 transmits a paging signal 4002 at 3003.
- the UE 130 transitions into operating in the connected mode 301 , 3004. This transition may involves a random access procedure and a RRC setup procedure for setting up the data connection 160.
- FIG. 5 illustrates aspects with respect to mobility of the UE 130.
- FIG. 5 illustrates multiple cells 401 - 404 of the cellular network 100.
- the different cells 401 - 404 are associated with one or more BSs (not illustrated in FIG. 5).
- the cells 401 - 404 form a tracking area.
- paging signals 4002 may be transmitted by the various BSs of the cells 401 - 404 of the tracking area.
- FIG. 6 schematically illustrates the BS 1 12 in greater detail.
- the BS 1 12 includes an interface 1 121 .
- the interface 1 121 is configured to wirelessly transmit and/or receive (communicate) signals on the wireless link 101 .
- the interface may include an analog front end, a digital front end, one or more antennas, etc.
- the BS 1 12 also includes control circuitry 1 122, e.g., implemented by one or more processors, in hardware and/or software.
- the BS 1 12 also includes a memory 1 123, e.g., a non-volatile memory. It is possible that program code is stored by the memory 1 123.
- the program code may be executed by the control circuitry 1 122.
- Executing the program code may cause the control circuitry 1 122 to perform techniques as described herein in connection with, e.g., transmitting one or more DL signals; receiving a UL report signal; triggering one or more countermeasures if limited connectivity of the UE is identified; etc..
- FIG. 7 schematically illustrates the UE 130 in greater detail.
- the UE 130 includes an interface 1301 .
- the interface 1301 is configured to wirelessly communicate signals on the wireless link 101 .
- the interface may include one or more receivers, e.g., a main receiver and a wake-up receiver.
- the wake-up receiver may be configured to selectively receive wake-up signals, e.g., using a lower-or the modulation, limited frequency bandwidth, etc..
- the interface 1301 may include an analog front end, a digital front end, one or more antennas, etc. Transmit and/or receive beamforming is possible.
- the UE 130 also includes control circuitry 1302, e.g., implemented by one or more processors.
- the UE 130 also includes a memory 1303, e.g., a non-volatile memory. It is possible that program code is stored by the memory 1303. The program code may be executed by the control circuitry 1302. Executing the program code may cause the control circuitry 1302 to perform techniques as described herein in connection with, e.g., receiving one or more DL signals while operating in a disconnected mode; transmitting a UL report signal; triggering one or more countermeasures if limited connectivity of the UE is identified; informing upper layers of a transmission protocol stack of the limited connectivity; etc.
- a memory 1303 e.g., a non-volatile memory. It is possible that program code is stored by the memory 1303. The program code may be executed by the control circuitry 1302. Executing the program code may cause the control circuitry 1302 to perform techniques as described herein in connection with, e.g., receiving one or more DL signals while operating in a disconnected mode; transmitting a UL report signal; triggering one or more countermeasures if
- FIG. 8 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- DL signals 4021 are transmitted by the BS 1 12 and received by the UE 130.
- the UE 130 operates in a disconnected mode 303, 305.
- the UE 130 may be operating in idle mode 303 when receiving the DL signals 4021 at 301 1 and 3012.
- the data connection 160 may have been previously released, e.g., due to expiry of an inactivity timer 201 (cf. FIG. 4). Then, the DL signals 4021 may be received in response to releasing the data connection 160.
- different DL signals 4021 may be used when monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130.
- Examples of DL signals 4021 that may be used include, but are not limited to: system information block; synchronization signal; paging signal directed to the UE 130; paging signaled directed to a number UE different from the UE 130; a cell-specific reference signal; a BS antenna specific reference signal; and a broadcasted signal.
- system information blocks may be broadcasted by the BS 1 12 at a comparably high repetition rate.
- sets system information blocks include the Master Information Block (MIB) and the Secondary Information Block (SIB) in the 3GPP LTE framework.
- Information blocks may be received by UEs operating in a disconnected mode prior to performing a random access procedure for setting up the data connection 160.
- information blocks may include configuration data that is required for appropriately setting up the data connection 160.
- Example configuration data that may be included in the information blocks includes, but is not limited to: a cell identity; a frequency bandwidth employed by the BS; access barring information; an operator associated with the cell; etc.
- the synchronization signal may be used in order to define a mutual time reference between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- Paging signals can be used to trigger a connection attempt of the UE 130 or of a different UE to the network.
- the paging signals may be UE specific.
- the paging may be triggered by the MME 1 16.
- the paging may be based on the registration of the UE 130 at the network 100.
- Cell-specific and/or antenna specific reference signals can be used in order to perform channel sounding.
- DL signals 4021 may be used in the various examples described herein.
- certain DL signals that are anyway transmitted for another purpose - e.g., facilitating random access, time synchronization, channel sounding, etc. - may be reused for the purpose of monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130 while the UE is in a disconnected mode. This reduces or avoids additional signaling overhead.
- the DL signals used in connection with monitoring the connectivity may be dedicated to the UE 130 or may not be dedicated to the UE 130. It would be even possible that the DL signals used for monitoring the connectivity are dedicated to one or more different UEs.
- the UE 130 may eavesdrop on these DL signals that are directed to one or more different UEs for the purpose of monitoring the connectivity - this may be possible, because in some examples it may not even be required to demodulate and decode the DL signals, e.g., if the receive property relates to a signal level.
- the UE 130 determines receive properties of the DL signals 4021 received at 301 1 and 3012.
- the UE transmits an UL report signal 4022 which is indicative of the receive property as determined in 3013.
- a signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, an error rate of decoding a plurality of DL signals 4021 , or a decoding reliability may be considered.
- This receive property may then be stored, for further use in connection with an UL report signal.
- determining the receive property may or may not include decoding and/or demodulation of the DL signals 4021 .
- the UE 130 eavesdrops on DL signals 4021 directed to one or more other UEs 130, the UE may not even be capable to decode and/or demodulate the DL signals 4021 , e.g., because appropriate configuration data and/or credentials are missing.
- the signal strength or signal-to-noise ration may be considered.
- the signal strength may define the amplitude of the signal at an analog stage of the receiver.
- the signal-to-noise ratio may define the amplitude of the signal at the analog stage if compared to a background level prior to and after the signal.
- the decoding reliability may define the degree of confidence with which a certain decoder, e.g., a Viterbi decoder, outputs decoded data.
- Decoding may be combined with demodulation.
- the error rate may be a bit error rate (BER) or block error rate (BLER) or a packet error rate (PER).
- BER bit error rate
- BLER block error rate
- PER packet error rate
- the BS 1 12 receives the UL report signal 4022. Based on the UL report signal 4022, the BS 1 12 may judge whether the connectivity of the UE 130 is limited. This is possible even though the UE 130 operates in idle mode 303 or, generally, another disconnected mode when receiving the DL signals 4021 at 301 1 and 3012.
- the UE 130 may receive a smaller or larger number of DL signals 4021 before determining the receive property and transmitting a respective UL report signal 4022. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a scenario in which the connectivity of the UE 130 is continuously monitored.
- the UE 130 again, receives DL signals 4021 ; at 3017, the UE 130, again, determines the receive property and transmits the respective UL report signal 4022 at 3018.
- This process may be repeated from time to time; the time offset between subsequent UL report signals 4022 being transmitted by the UE 130 may correlate with a time resolution with which the connectivity of the UE 130 can be monitored.
- Reception of the DL signals 4021 by the UE 130 occurs in receive timeslots 206 of a repetitive probing schedule.
- a frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots 206 may be set such that energy consumption by receiving the DL signals 4021 on the one hand side, and time resolution of monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130 are balanced.
- the receive timeslots 206 are intermittedely arranged. A strict periodicity of the receive timeslots 206 is not required.
- the frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots 206 is aligned with the typical mobility pattern expected for the UE 130: For example, it would be possible that the frequency of occurrence of the subsequent receive timeslots is in the range of 1 - 60 seconds, optionally in the range of 3 - 30 seconds. This frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots 206 may correlate with the time offset between subsequent receive timeslots 206. It has been observed that by setting the receive timeslots 206 such that they have a respective frequency of occurrence, a favorable balance between energy consumption on the one hand side and time resolution of monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130 can be obtained; this is because the connectivity may vary on a timescale associated with the typical mobility pattern.
- FIG. 9 illustrates aspects with respect to the repetitive probing schedule.
- FIG. 9 also illustrates aspects with respect to paging occasions 202 while the UE 130 is operating in idle mode 303.
- FIG. 9 also illustrates aspects with respect to the DRX cycle including on durations 371 and off durations 372: the paging occasions 202 are implemented by the on durations 371 .
- the repetitive probing schedule is time-aligned with the DRX cycle.
- the receive timeslots 206 of the repetitive probing schedule are at least partially overlapping with the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle.
- the receive timeslots 206 of the repetitive probing cycle are coincident in time domain with the paging occasions 202.
- FIG. 9 illustrates aspects with respect to the repetitive probing schedule.
- FIG. 9 also illustrates aspects with respect to paging occasions 202 while the UE 130 is operating in idle mode 303.
- FIG. 9 also illustrates aspects with respect to the DRX cycle including on durations 371 and off duration
- the receive timeslots 206 of the repetitive probing schedule are defined as integer multiples of the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle (in the non-limiting example of FIG. 9, every fourth on duration 371 is at least partially overlapping with the respective receive timeslot 206 of the repetitive probing cycle).
- the frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots 206 of the repetitive probing schedule defines a time offset 276 between adjacent receive timeslots 206 which is larger by a certain factor (factor of 4 in the non-limiting example of FIG. 9) than the respective time offset 275 between adjacent on durations 371 of the DRX cycle.
- the duration of the receive timeslots 206 may be extended if compared to the duration of the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle which are not at least partially overlapping with the receive timeslots 206. Therefore, by implementing a reduced frequency of occurrence for the receive timeslots of the repetitive probing cycle if compared to the on durations of the DRX cycle, energy consumption can be reduced.
- the bandwidth which is used for receiving the DL signals 4021 in the receive timeslots 206 may be extended if compared to the bandwidth which is used for receiving any potential paging signals in the paging occasions 202 of the on durations 371 of the DRX cycle. Thereby, by implementing a reduced frequency of occurrence for the repetitive probing cycle if compared to the DRX cycle, energy consumption can be reduced.
- the interface 1301 - and, in particular, the receiver of the interface 1301 - of the UE 130 is transitioned between the inactive state 383 and the power-save state 382 in accordance with the repetitive probing cycle (cf. FIG. 3). This is due to the receive timeslots 206 being arranged intermittedly.
- the DL signals 4021 may be communicated according to a fixed, pre-defined schedule. This may correspond to "pinging" the UE with a certain frequency of occurrence to ensure that the connectivity is not limited, e.g., if DL signals 4021 directed to the UE 130 are employed.
- certain time-frequency resource elements may be allocated to the DL signals 4021 .
- information blocks broadcasted by the BS 1 12 may be fixedly allocated to certain time-frequency resource elements of a time-frequency resource grid. Thereby, also the repetition rate of communicating the DL signals 4021 is well-defined.
- FIG. 9 a scenario is illustrated where the time offset 274 between adjacent DL signals 4021 is much smaller than the time offsets 275, 276 (illustrated in the magnified in set of FIG. 9).
- the DL signals 4021 used when monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130 are implemented by information blocks, then such information blocks may be repeated on frame or even subframe level of the wireless link 101 .
- the repetition rate of the information blocks may be in the order of tens of milliseconds.
- the repetition rate of communication of the DL signals 4021 may be larger than the frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots 206, e.g., at least by a factor of 100, further optionally at least by a factor of 1000.
- Such a scenario may ensure that whenever a receive timeslot 206 is scheduled, there are sufficient opportunities for receiving a DL signal 4021 available.
- FIG. 10 is a signaling diagram illustrating communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- the example of FIG. 10 generally corresponds to the example of FIG. 8.
- a larger count of DL signals 4021 is received at 3021 - 3026, prior to transmitting the UL report signal 4021 at 3028.
- the receive property is determined for the DL signals 4021 previously received.
- the control signaling overhead can be reduced. For example, a count of at least 10 or at least 100 or at least 1000 DL signals 4021 could be received per UL report signal 4022.
- the UL report signal 4022 does not include information indicative of the individual receive properties of each and every DL signal 4021 ; but rather includes information indicative of a combined receive property across the received DL signals 4021 .
- the receive property includes statistics of said receiving of the plurality of DL signals 4021 .
- Example statistics include the number of successful and/or unsuccessful reception attempts of the DL signals 4021 .
- the unsuccessful reception attempts may be defined as such reception attempts with the signal-to-noise ratio of the DL signal 4021 at the receiver of the UE 130 is below a threshold.
- the unsuccessful reception attempts may be defined as such reception attempts which do not allow for a successful decoding of data encoded by the DL signal 4021 . It has been found that the number of unsuccessful reception attempts is an accurate measure for the connectivity of the UE 130.
- FIG. 10 also illustrates aspects with respect to a repetitive reporting schedule.
- the UL report signals 4022 are transmitted and/or received (communicated) in accordance with a repetitive reporting schedule.
- the repetitive reporting schedule defines transmit timeslots 209 during which the UL report signals 4022 are communicated. This is also illustrated in connection with FIG. 1 1 .
- FIG. 1 1 illustrates aspects with respect to the repetitive reporting schedule.
- FIG. 1 1 illustrates a time arrangement of the receive timeslots 206 of the repetitive probing schedule and of the transmit timeslots 209 of the repetitive reporting schedule.
- the time offset 277 between adjacent transmit timeslots 209 is larger than the time offset 276 between adjacent receive timeslots 206.
- This resembles the observation that in various scenarios it is possible to include information on the receive properties of a plurality of DL signals 4021 in each UL report signal 4022, e.g., by considering the statistics on said receiving of the plurality of DL signals 4021 .
- a typical length/duration of the time offsets 277 may be in the order of 30 seconds - 30 minutes, optionally in the range of 2 minutes - 20 minutes.
- an UL report signal 4022 may be transmitted in the various examples described herein if reception attempts for a certain number of DL signals 4021 have been completed, and/or upon demand by the network, and/or if the data connection, and/or if a significance of statistics on the receive properties of a plurality of DL signals 4021 exceeds a threshold, etc.
- the data connection 160 may also be quickly released in response to communication of the UL report signal 4022.
- the data connection 160 may be released by overriding the inactivity timer 201 (cf. FIG. 4). Thereby, battery consumption of the UE 130 can be reduced.
- FIG. 12 Such a scenario is illustrated in FIG. 12.
- FIG. 12 is a signaling diagram illustrating communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- FIG. 12 schematically illustrates such a setup of the data connection 160 between the UE 130 and the network 100 for transmitting the UL report signal 4022 at 3062.
- a transition to the connected mode 301 , 302 is performed. This may include setting up the data connection 160, e.g., by performing a random access procedure and a RRC setup procedure. Then, at 3062, the UL report signal 4022 is transmitted using the previously set-up data connection 160. Then, in response to transmitting the UL report signal 4022 at 3062, at 3063, a transition to the disconnected state, e.g., the idle mode 303 is performed.
- the inactivity timer 201 is not implemented (cf. FIG. 4). This helps to minimize the duration of the timeslot 209. 3061 may be triggered by occurrence of the timeslot 209. However, in other scenarios, other trigger criteria may be used for 3061 .
- the data connection 160 used for transmitting the UL report signal 4022 is set up in response to the need of communicating a tracking area update message.
- the UE may transmit a tracking area update message.
- the tracking area update message may be indicative of whether the UE is still located in the same tracking area (cf. FIG. 5); or whether the UE 130 has moved into a different tracking area.
- the network 100 can implement the paging of the UE 130.
- a typical frequency of occurrence of transmitting the tracking area update message may be in the order of 30 minutes; and, hence, may be suitable for synchronization with the transmit timeslots 209.
- a time resolution with which the connectivity of the UE 130 can be monitored correlates with the frequency of occurrence of the transmit timeslots 209. Therefore, in some scenarios, it may be desirable to implement a lower or higher time resolution by appropriately tailoring the frequency of occurrence of the transmit timeslots 209.
- the reporting schedule is set up between the network 100 and the communication device 130, e.g., using an appropriate configuration message.
- the reporting schedule - and hence, the frequency of occurrence of the transmit timeslots 209 - is set up in accordance with at least one of the device category of the UE 130 and a reliability category associated with the UE 130. This may occur during RRC setup or in connected mode 301 , 302.
- the device category of the UE 130 may be selected from the following group: handheld device; smart phone; a MTC device; IOT device; vehicle; etc.
- the reliability category may specify a level of connectivity that should be implemented for the UE 130. For example, it would be possible that certain UEs require a classification within the higher reliability category than others, e.g., due to the sensitivity or importance of the data communicated between the UE and the network.
- An example would be sensors or actuators in connected fabrication where it must be ensured with high reliability that each sensor or actuator is quickly reachable.
- a new UE type may be introduced. This UE type may indicate that the UE needs to be guaranteed application access by the network on a higher performance level then legacy UEs.
- the UE reports its category/capability, e.g., as part of setting up the data connection 160, e.g., as part of a RRC connection procedure. Then, the UE may indicate to the network 100 its higher-reliability access preference.
- the UE capability may be comparably static or semi-static within the network 100, i.e., the UE 130 may update this capability information, but this is typically not done very often, e.g., on the order of hours or days or even months.
- the UE capability could also be coupled to a reachability configuration with the UE and the network may negotiate the reachability level that should be provided to the UE 130.
- the control signaling overhead on the wireless link 101 can be further reduced by specifying certain time-frequency resource elements that can be used by the UE 130 to transmit the UL report signals 4022 while continuously operating in idle mode 303 or, generally, a disconnected mode 303, 305. Then, it is not required to set up the data connection 160 each time the UL report signal 4022 is to be transmitted.
- FIG. 13 illustrates aspects with respect to communicating the UL report signal 4022.
- FIG. 13 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12. Initially, at 3051 , a capability control message 401 1 is communicated from the UE 130 to the BS 1 12. The capability control message 401 1 is optional.
- the capability control message 401 1 may not only be employed in connection with the scenario as illustrated by FIG. 13, but may alternatively or additionally also be employed in connection with the other scenarios illustrated herein, e.g., in connection with the scenario of figs. 8 or 10.
- the capability control message 401 1 may be indicative of whether the UE 130 supports receiving the DL signal 4021 while operating in disconnected mode 303, 305.
- the capability control message 401 1 could also be indicative of at least one of the device could category of the UE 130 and the reliability category associated with the UE 130.
- the capability control message 401 1 could be transmitted during RRC setup or using a RRC control message in connected mode 301 , 302.
- the BS 1 12 can appropriately allocate time-frequency resource elements 282 to the transmission of the UL report signal 4022. For example, the time offset 277 between adjacent transmit timeslots 209 can be set in accordance with the information included in the capability control message 401 1 .
- These time-frequency resource elements 282 may be dedicated to the UE 130 such that interference or collision by one or more further UEs attempting to transmit on these resources is avoided. The time-frequency resource elements 282 could also be shared between multiple UEs.
- the BS 1 12 transmits a DL control message 4012.
- the DL control message 4012 is optional.
- the DL control message 4012 may not only be employed in the scenario of FIG.
- the DL control message 4012 generally includes configuration information for configuring the monitoring of the connectivity.
- the DL control message 4012 is indicative of the time-frequency resource elements 282 scheduled at each transmit timeslots 209 for transmission of the respective UL report signal 4022.
- the DL control message 4012 may include scheduling information for reoccurring time-frequency resource elements 282.
- the DL control message 4012 may also be indicative of the type of DL signal 4021 to be used when monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130.
- the DL control message 4012 may be, generally, indicative of the repetitive probing schedule and/or the repetitive reporting schedule.
- the DL control message 4012 may be generally indicative of a codebook for reporting the received property of one or more DL control message 4012 in a compressed format.
- the DL control message 4012 may be indicative of a threshold of unsuccessful reception attempts which is used when reporting to the network 100.
- the DL control message 4012 may be indicative of reachability levels, e.g., the probability of missed communication, that is acceptable for the UE 130.
- 3053 corresponds to 3001 .
- 3054 corresponds to 3002.
- the UE 130 uses one of the previously allocated time- frequency resource elements 282 to transmit the UL report signal 4022 at 3055 (the inset of FIG. 13 illustrates a time-frequency resource mapping/grid defined in frequency and time domain and the black-filled time-frequency resource elements which are allocated to the transmission of the UL report signal 4022; the time-frequency resource mapping may be defined by an Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing modulation scheme).
- the UL report signal 4022 may be transmitted at a comparably high frequency of occurrence such that the accuracy of monitoring the connectivity of the UE 130 is high.
- FIG. 14 illustrates aspects with respect to the UL report signal 4022.
- the UL report signal 4022 is indicative of the receive properties for a plurality of previously received DL signals 4021 .
- the UL report signal 4022 indicates for each one of a plurality of DL signals 4021 if the respective DL signal 4021 has been correctly received ("+" in FIG. 14) or has not been correctly received ("-" in FIG. 14). While the scenario FIG. 14 offers comparably large information depth to be processed by the network 100, also the size of the UL report signal 4022 is comparably large due to individually reporting one each receive DL signal 4021 .
- FIG. 15 illustrates aspects with respect to the UL report signal 4022.
- the UL report signal 4022 is indicative of statistics of receiving multiple DL signals 4021 .
- the UL report signal 4022 illustrates a ratio of unsuccessful reception attempts of the plurality of DL signals if compared to the total number of reception attempts. For example, the number of unsuccessful reception attempts may be determined based on knowledge of the repetition rate with which the DL signals 4021 are communicated according to a predefined pattern (cf. FIG. 9).
- the scenario of FIG. 15 reduces the size of the UL report signal 4022 if compared to the scenario FIG. 14.
- FIG. 16 illustrates aspects with respect to the UL report signal 4022.
- the UL report signal is indicative of statistics of receiving multiple DL signals 4021 .
- the UL report signal 4022 is indicative of a number of unsuccessful reception attempts of the plurality of DL signals 4021 .
- the 1 -bit UL report signal 4022 is indicative of whether the number of unsuccessful reception attempts is larger or smaller than the predefined threshold.
- the predefined threshold may be defined in accordance with an initial control message 4012, i.e., as part of a respective codebook (cf. FIG. 13).
- the scenario FIG. 16 further reduces the size of the UL report signal 4022 if compared to the scenarios of FIG. 14 and 15.
- the UL report signal 4022 of FIG. 16 may be selectively transmitted on- demand if limited connectivity is identified, e.g., because the number of unsuccessful reception attempts exceeds the predefined threshold.
- the UL report signal 4022 depending on the receive property of the at least one DL signal 4021 , it becomes possible to reduce control signaling overhead on the wireless link 101 .
- Such a scenario using a 1 -bit UL report signal 4022 may be, in particular, desirable when using predefined time-frequency resource elements 282 that are allocated for use by the UE 130 and transmitting the UL report signal what 4022 while operating in a disconnected mode 303, 305. This is because in such a scenario, typically, the overhead imposed on the wireless link 101 is to be reduced due to the number of UEs simultaneously registered with the in a specific cell.
- FIG. 17 illustrates aspects with respect to triggering a countermeasure depending on the connectivity of the UE 130.
- FIG. 17 is a signaling diagram schematically illustrating communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12.
- the UE 130 determines a receive property of previously received DL signals 4021 (not illustrated in FIG. 17 for sake of simplicity).
- the UL report signal 4022 is transmitted by the UE 130 and received by the BS 1 12.
- the UL report signal 4022 could be communicated using the data connection 160, i.e., by previously setting up the data connection 160 (not illustrated in FIG. 17).
- the UL report signal 4022 is communicated using reoccurring time-frequency resource elements 282 without transitioning operation of the UE 130 from the disconnected more 303, 305 to a connected mode 301 , 302.
- the BS 1 12 Based on the UL report signal 4022 received at 3072, the BS 1 12 selectively triggers one or more countermeasures for facilitating the connectivity with the UE 130.
- the countermeasure includes transmitting a DL control signal 4025 from the BS 1 12 to the UE 130 at 3074.
- the DL control signal 4025 is indicative of the limited connectivity of the UE 130.
- For transmitting the DL control signal 4025 it would be possible that the UE 130 - by means of paging - is transitioned into the connected mode 301 , 302 (not illustrated in FIG. 17).
- the UE 130 may then provide notification of the limited connectivity to an application layer implemented by a transmission protocol stack at the UE 130, 3075. Therefore, one or more applications that rely on low-latency and high-connectivity communication between the UE 130 and the BS 1 12 may be timely informed of the limited connectivity; these applications may then trigger further countermeasures, if required. For example, these applications could transition into a protected mode or the like.
- Countermeasures that may be employed in connection with the various examples described herein are not limited to the communication of the DL control signal 4025 is illustrated in connection with FIG. 17. Alternatively or additionally, it would be possible that one or more of the following countermeasures are triggered: increasing a repetition level of a coverage enhancement (CE) policy for communicating between the UE 130 and the network 100; triggering cell re-selection or handover of the UE 130 to a further BS of the network; and adjusting beamforming parameters for communicating between the UE 130 and the network 100.
- CE coverage enhancement
- CE is envisioned to be applied for MTC and NB-IOT.
- a key feature of the CE is to implement multiple transmission repetitions of a signal, e.g., corresponding to encoded data or a random access preamble.
- each repetition may include the same redundancy version of the encoded data.
- the repetitions may be "blind", i.e., may not be in response to a respective retransmission request that may be defined with respect to a HARQ protocol. Rather, repetitions according to CE may be preemptive. Examples are provided by the 3GPP Technical Report (TR) 45.820 version 13.0.0 (2015 - 08), section 6.2.1 .3.
- a signal is redundantly communicated using a plurality of repetitions.
- the count of repetitions is defined by the repetition level of the CE policy.
- the signal may be encoded according to one and the same redundancy version: Hence, the same encoded version of the signal may be redundantly communicated a number of times according to various examples.
- Each repetition of the plurality of repetitions can include the signal encoded according to the same redundancy version, e.g., redundancy version O or redundancy version 1 , etc.
- the decoding of the encoded signals can be based on the combined signal.
- the probability of successfully decoding of the encoded signal increases.
- Beamforming may rely on a phased array of antennas.
- Antenna weights may define the phase and amplitude relationship between each one of the antennas. Thereby, a well-defined spatial profile for transmitting and/or receiving may be set. Spatial multiplexing becomes possible.
- FIG. 18 is a flowchart of a method according to various examples.
- the method according to FIG. 18 may be executed by the control circuitry 1302 of the UE 130, e.g., based on respective program code loaded from the memory 1303 (cf. FIG. 7).
- the one or more DL signals are received.
- the one or more DL signals may be one or more of an information block, a paging signal, or any other signal transmitted by a BS.
- the DL signals may be directed to the receiving UE; or may be directed to another UE.
- the DL signal may be received in a receive timeslot of a repetitive probing schedule (cf. FIG. 9). It would be possible that, per receive timeslot, multiple DL signals are received (cf. FIG. 10).
- a receive property or multiple receive properties of the one or more DL signals are determined. For example, a signal strength, signal-to-noise ratio, or a decoding reliability may be considered. This receive property may then be stored, for further use in connection with an UL report signal. It would be possible to store / update statistics of the receive property.
- a further DL signal is to be received. This check may be in accordance with a reporting schedule that may be predefined. Alternatively or additionally, it could also be checked if the current receive properties indicate non- limited connectivity. If one or more DL signals are to be further received, then 9001 - 9003 are re-executed in a further iteration.
- an UL reports signal is transmitted.
- the UL report signal may be transmitted in a transmit timeslot of a reporting schedule.
- a data connection may be set up for transmitting the UL report signal or pre-allocated time-frequency resource elements may be used (cf. FIGs. 12 and 13).
- the UL report signal can be indicative of the previously determined receive properties of the receive DL signals. For example, the UL report signal could be indicative of statistics of the receive properties (cf. FIGs. 14 - 16).
- transmitting the UL report signal is optional.
- the UE may locally detect limited connectivity and, then, may perform one or more countermeasures to facilitate connectivity locally.
- FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a method according to various examples.
- the method according to FIG. 19 may be executed by the control circuitry 1 122 of the BS 1 12, e.g., based on respective program code loaded from the memory 1 123 (cf. FIG. 6).
- one or more DL signals are transmitted.
- 901 1 is inter-related with 9001 .
- the DL signals may be transmitted in accordance with the repetitive probing schedule implemented at the receiving UE; then, knowledge of the repetitive probing schedule is to be provided at the network side.
- the DL signals may be anyway transmitted, e.g., if they are not specifically directed to the receiving UE.
- the DL signals may be transmitted at a given repetition rate (cf. FIG. 9).
- an UL report signal is received.
- 9012 may be inter-related with 9004.
- the UL report signal may be received in accordance with a repetitive reporting schedule, e.g., in transmit timeslots of the repetitive reporting schedule (cf. FIG.1 1 ).
- a countermeasure is to be triggered.
- the countermeasure may be triggered if the connectivity of the UE is limited. If it is judged that the countermeasure is to be triggered, then at 9015, the countermeasure is triggered.
- Various countermeasures are conceivable. For example, a DL control message may be transmitted from the BS to the UE; the DL control message may be indicative of the limited connectivity.
- the application layer of the transmission protocol stack implemented by the UE 130 may be notified accordingly (cf. FIG. 17).
- Other countermeasures may include the adjustment of the repetition level of the CE policy; beamforming parameters; and reselection of the sun on which the UE comes or is connected to.
- Example 1 A method of operating a communication device (130), comprising:
- Example 2 The method of example 1 ,
- the at least one downlink signal (4021 ) comprises a plurality of downlink signals (4021 ),
- Example 3 The method of example 2,
- a frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots (206) is in the range of 1 - 60 s, optionally in the range of 3 - 30 s.
- Example 4 The method of examples 2 or 3,
- the receive timeslots (206) of the repetitive probing schedule are defined as integer multiples of on durations (371 ) of the discontinuous reception cycle.
- Example 5 The method of any one of examples 2 - 4, further comprising:
- Example 6 The method of any one of examples 2 - 5, wherein a repetition rate of the plurality of downlink signals (4021 ) is larger than a frequency of occurrence of the receive timeslots (206), optionally at least by a factor of 100, further optionally at least by a factor of 1 ,000.
- Example 7 The method of any one of the preceding examples, further comprising:
- Example 8 The method of any one of the preceding examples, further comprising:
- Example 9 A method of operating a base station (1 12) of a network (100), comprising:
- Example 10 The method of example 9, further comprising:
- Example 1 1 The method of example 10,
- the at least one countermeasure comprises at least one of the following: increase of a repetition level of a coverage enhancement policy for communication between the communication device (130) and the network (100); triggering cell re-selection or handover of the communication device (130) to a further base station (1 12) of a target cell; and adjusting beamforming parameters for communicating between the communication device (130) and the network (100).
- Example 12 The method of any one of examples 9 - 1 1 , further comprising:
- Example 13 in response to said receiving of the uplink report signal (4022): transmitting to the communication device (130), a further downlink signal (4025) indicative of limited connectivity of the communication device (130).
- Example 13 The method of any one of the preceding examples,
- uplink report signal (4022) is communicated in accordance with a repetitive reporting schedule.
- Example 14 The method of example 13, further comprising,
- Example 15 The method of examples 13 or 14, further comprising:
- Example 16 The method of any one of the preceding examples, further comprising:
- the data connection (160) is set-up in response to a need of communicating a tracking area update message from the communication device (130) to the network (100).
- Example 18 The method of examples 16 or 17, further comprising:
- Example 19 The method of any one of the preceding examples, further comprising:
- uplink report signal (4022) is communicated using the resources
- Example 20 The method of any one of the preceding examples,
- the at least one downlink signal (4021 ) comprises a plurality of downlink signals (4021 ),
- the receive property comprises statistics of the receive properties of the plurality of downlink signals (4021 ).
- Example 21 The method of example 20,
- the statistics are indicative of a number of unsuccessful receptii attempts of the plurality of downlink signals (4021 ).
- Example 22 The method of any one of the preceding examples,
- the receive property of the at least one downlink signal (4021 ) comprises at least one of the following: a receive signal strength of the at least one downlink signal (4021 ); a decoding reliability of decoding of the at least one downlink signal (4021 ); and an error rate of decoding a plurality of downlink signals (4021 ) of the at least one downlink signal (4021 ).
- Example 23 The method of any one of the preceding examples,
- the at least one downlink signal (4021 ) comprises at least one of the following: a system information block; a synchronization signal; a paging signal directed to the communication device (130); a paging signal directed to a further communication device (130) different from the communication device (130); a cell- specific reference signal; a DL signal directed to one or more other communication devices different from the communication device (130); and a broadcasted signal.
- a communication device (130) comprising control circuitry (1302) configured to perform:
- Example 25 A base station (1 12) of a network (100) comprising control circuitry (1 122) configured to perform:
- the connectivity of the UE is at least partially monitored using UL signals.
- the UL signals may be transmitted by the UE while the UE is operating in the disconnected mode in which the data connection is not set up between the UE and the network.
- the UL signals are transmitted using predefined time-frequency resource elements of the UE.
- the network e.g. one or more BSs, may monitor such UL signals and determine whether the connectivity is limited or not. Further a network node may transmit a DL report signal to the UE based on such monitoring of UL signals.
- an UL report signal indicative of a receive property of at least one DL signal is transmitted in accordance with a repetitive probing schedule.
- the UL report signal may be transmitted on-demand, e.g., if the UE determines limited connectivity based on the receive property.
- no pre-defined or fixed reporting schedule may be implemented in such an on-demand scenario.
- various scenarios have been described in which the UE transmits an UL report signal to the BS. Then, the limited connectivity of the UE can be monitored at the network, e.g., at the BS. The network may trigger appropriate countermeasures.
- the UE may take appropriate countermeasures, e.g., adjusting beamforming parameters, informing an application layer of the transmission protocol stack, etc.. In particular in such a scenario, and thus generally, it may even not be required to transmit the UL report signal to the network.
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EP18746664.4A EP3669569A1 (en) | 2017-08-18 | 2018-07-24 | Monitoring connectivity in disconnected mode |
CN201880053434.4A CN111418224B8 (zh) | 2017-08-18 | 2018-07-24 | 通信设备、基站、操作通信设备的方法和操作基站的方法 |
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PCT/EP2018/070020 WO2019034378A1 (en) | 2017-08-18 | 2018-07-24 | CONNECTIVITY MONITORING IN DISCONNECTED MODE |
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EP (1) | EP3669569A1 (zh) |
CN (1) | CN111418224B8 (zh) |
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Cited By (1)
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WO2022013446A3 (en) * | 2020-07-17 | 2022-03-10 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Drx alignment for the sidelink |
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WO2022065904A1 (ko) * | 2020-09-25 | 2022-03-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | 단말들 사이의 상호 협력을 위해 drx를 수행하는 방법 및 장치 |
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KR20120111834A (ko) * | 2011-04-02 | 2012-10-11 | 주식회사 팬택 | 무선통신시스템에서 이종셀간 간섭조정을 위한 제어정보의 전송장치 및 방법 |
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- 2018-07-24 CN CN201880053434.4A patent/CN111418224B8/zh active Active
- 2018-07-24 US US16/638,890 patent/US20200196380A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2018-07-24 WO PCT/EP2018/070020 patent/WO2019034378A1/en unknown
- 2018-07-24 EP EP18746664.4A patent/EP3669569A1/en active Pending
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WO2022013446A3 (en) * | 2020-07-17 | 2022-03-10 | Fraunhofer-Gesellschaft zur Förderung der angewandten Forschung e.V. | Drx alignment for the sidelink |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
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US20200196380A1 (en) | 2020-06-18 |
CN111418224B (zh) | 2024-04-12 |
EP3669569A1 (en) | 2020-06-24 |
CN111418224B8 (zh) | 2024-06-04 |
CN111418224A (zh) | 2020-07-14 |
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